Product Manual

ABOUT STREZOV SAMPLING

STREZOV SAMPLING © is a division of STREZOV MUSIC PRODUCTIONS LTD – a company created by George Strezov – orchestrator, composer and orchestra/choir contractor in Sofia, Bulgaria.

We have been sampling since December 2012 when we started out with Storm Choir 1 and throughout that time we learned and incorporated a lot into our products. Our team is passionate about sample libraries because at the end we are the first customers of the products – we are composers and arrangers working around the world. Our headquarters are based in Sofia, Bulgaria where we record the fantastic musicians and singers that breathe life into the tiny .wav samples that we later include into Kontakt. DISCLAIMER / PHILOSOPHY

We would like to note that, in our pursuit for more lively and natural samples, we tend to avoid a few things that are considered commonplace. We used some normalization on the samples, but tried to keep the depth of the instrument dynamics. We embrace candid, lively samples that include some natural imperfections.

ABOUT LIGHTNING X3M

LIGHTNING X3M is a product using the X3M engine, allowing the user to manipulate the sample material. This opens vast musical possibilities for the working composer.

The concept behind LIGHTNING X3M is not only to introduce different types of high frequency percussion, but also to create unique instrument combinations, similar to our previous percussion series, as well as some new sounds and effects.

Our main idea was to record a number of high frequency percussion instruments, suitable for all kinds of dynamic music and especially film/trailer. The library has multiple dynamic levels (from very soft ppp to blasting ffff) and has multiple round- robins (meaning that each instrument has unique samples that get changed every time you press a key). THE X3M ENGINE

The concept behind the X3M engine is quite simple – it is made of 12 zones that you assign different patches to. After making the template of your choosing, just plug in and play – nothing else needed!

When you load up Lightning X3M, you automatically load all samples held inside your “Samples” directory. However, the instruments are built in such a way that not only do you have a single patch with all types of percussion you might need - you also have a patch that is optimized and does not hurt your RAM!

How does it work?

When you open the patch, the main settings you need are displayed here:

You have 6 zones displayed on this page (you can use the arrow to change between pages) and you have several controls:

Pitch Knob – allows you to adjust the pitch of the samples. Really useful to load a single instrument two times and then change the pitch of one of the zones. For instance – load up a solo instrument on zones 1 and 2, then decrease the pitch of zone 2 all the way to the left. And now you have an even thicker sound.

Transient controls – transient attack and sustain work like a compressor; the attack amps up the beginning of the wave file, while the sustain can increase or decrease the sample tail. These are just PERFECT for getting even punchier sound! When you click on the zone's name (ZONE 1, ZONE 2, etc...) you get a new page with the individual zone settings (as displayed above). You have a couple of main categories: Clocks & Ticks, Shakers, Ethnic Shakers, Buttons & Knobs, Synth Perc, Clicks & Clacks, Hats & Cymbals, Small Metals 1, Small Metals 2, Muted Percussion, Orchestral, Ethnic Metals, Synth Perc Dist and Misc.

How do I load instruments?

Click on any zone (marked Z-1, Z-2, Z-3, …, Z-12 above) and then navigate through the list of categories; choose a sample that works well for you and then click the “X” button at the top right corner of the detailed settings. There are two additional buttons at the bottom – DISCARD (reverts all changes that you have made to the default values) and CLEAR (removes all samples and settings from the zone).

All 12 zones are marked with different colors to allow for easier playability. Not only that – when you edit the zones, the color of the edited zone will change to white. We did this to avoid confusion and to give you a clear view of what you are currently editing.

There is also the Reset RR function available in the keyboard as a keyswitch located on A-1, marked in white. The patches also have global microphone control. By default you have all three microphones - “Close”, “Decca” and “Hall” , turned ON. Apart from all these functionalities, which are standard for all Strezov Sampling X3M libraries, there is a new function included in the Lightning X3M – Select RR. This function allows you to deactivate any of the RRs for a particular instrument included in the library. That gives you the liberty to shape the sound per your taste and needs.

Last but not least, the engine has some really useful controls: NEW – initializes the template – just like the button CLEAR, but applied to all zones. LOAD/SAVE – you have the possibility to make your own presets and to save them with just a few clicks of the mouse! HELP – a built-in ''help'' file (as displayed above) RESET RR – resets all Round-robins for the samples (this function is also available as a keyswitch, located on A-1) INSTRUMENT PATCHES In your “Instruments” directory you will find the following patches: “Lightning_X3M_BLANK” - blank template of the engine, ready for you to play around with! You also have some additional patches that you can load for specific instruments. They are to be found in the sub-folder called “Multi Patches”. Here they are:

– Buttons & Knobs – Clicks & Clacks 1 – Clicks & Clacks 2 – Clocks – Ethnic Metals 1 (Chans) – Ethnic Metals 2 – Ethnic Shakers 1 – Ethnic Shakers 2 – Hi-hats – Misc 1 – Misc 2 – Mouse & Keyboards – Muted Percussion 1 – Muted Percussion 2 (Cajons) – Orchestral – Rides – Shakers 1 – Shakers 2 – Small Metals 1 – Small Metals 2 – Small Metals 3 – Synth Perc 1 – Synth Perc 2 – Synth Perc Dist 1 – Synth Perc Dist 2 – Typewriters Here is a detailed list of all samples included: 1. CLOCKS & TICKS Keyboard 2 – 1 dyn x15 RR Medium Clock – 1 dyn x15 RR Keyboard 3 – 1 dyn x15 RR Big Clock – 2 dyn x15 RR Old Keyboard 1 – 1 dyn x15 RR Small Clock 1 – 1 dyn x15 RR Old Keyboard 2 – 1 dyn x15 RR Small Clock Bell – 1 dyn x10 RR Old Keyboard 3 – 1 dyn x15 RR Clock Winding 1 Single – 1 dyn x4 RR Typewriter 1 – 1 dyn x15 RR Small Clock 2 – 1 dyn x15 RR Typewriter 2 – 1 dyn x15 RR Small Clock 3 – 1 dyn x15 RR Typewriter FX1 – 1 dyn x10 RR Small Clock 4 – 1 dyn x15 RR Typewriter FX2 – 1 dyn x10 RR Clock Winding 1 – 1 dyn x4 RR Typewriter FX3 – 1 dyn x4 RR Clock Tick 1 – 1 dyn x15 RR Typewriter FX4 – 1 dyn x4 RR Clock Tick 2 – 1 dyn x15 RR Clock Winding 2 – 1 dyn x4 RR 5. SYNTH PERC Clock Winding 2 Single – 1 dyn x10 RR Chasing – 3 dyn x9RR Metronome – 1 dyn x 15 RR Blaster – 3 dyn x9RR Metronome Bell – 1 dyn x5 RR Sci-Fi Clock – 3 dyn x9RR Mad Rax – 3 dyn x9RR 2. SHAKERS Worms – 3 dyn x9RR Shaker 1 – 2 dyn x15 RR Electricity – 3 dyn x9RR Shaker 2 - 2 dyn x15 RR Train – 3 dyn x9RR Shaker 3 - 2 dyn x15 RR Deaf Knocks – 3 dyn x9RR Shaker 4 - 2 dyn x15 RR Soft Gabber – 3 dyn x9RR Shaker 5 – 2 dyn x15 RR Electro Shaker – 3 dyn x9RR Shaker 10 - 2 dyn x15 RR Scratch This – 3 dyn x9RR Shaker 11 - 2 dyn x15 RR Underhand – 3 dyn x9RR Shaker 12 - 2 dyn x15 RR Soldiers – 3 dyn x9RR Cabasa Hit – 1 dyn x15 RR Soldiers (Drive) – 3 dyn x9RR Cabasa Slide – 1 dyn x15 RR Laser Nails – 3 dyn x9RR Shekere Side Hit – 2 dyn x15 RR Shekere Rod – 3 dyn x15 RR 6. CLICKS & CLACKS Shekere Rod Scratch – 2 dyn x15 RR Wooden Cup – 4 dyn x15 RR Shekere 1 Slide – 2 dyn x15 RR Plastic Bowl 1 – 4 dyn x15 RR Shekere 1 Rod – 3 dyn x15 RR Wooden Forks – 4 dyn x15 RR Shekere 1 Rod Slide – 2 dyn x15 RR Plastic Bowl 2 – 4 dyn x15 RR Shekere 2 Down – 3 dyn x15 RR Castacup – 4 dyn x15 RR Shekere 2 Up – 3 dyn x15 RR Wooden Sticks – 4 dyn x15 RR Clacks – 4 dyn x15 RR 3. ETHNIC SHAKERS Wooden Snap – 4 dyn x15 RR Maraca 1 – 1 dyn x15 RR Gypsy Snap – 4 dyn x15 RR Maraca 1 (Brushed) – 2 dyn x15 RR Pensils – 4 dyn x15 RR Maraca 2 – 2 dyn x15 RR Knock Knock – 4 dyn x15 RR Maraca 3 – 2 dyn x15 RR Woodpecker – 4 dyn x15 RR Maraca Rod - 2 dyn x15 RR Tiny Giants – 4 dyn x15 RR Ethnic Shaker 1 – 1 dyn x15 RR Glass Bottle – 4 dyn x15 RR Ethnic Shaker 2 – 2 dyn x15 RR Roofchase – 4 dyn x15 RR Ethnic Shaker 3 – 1 dyn x15 RR Brushed Chain – 4 dyn x15 RR Caxixi 1 – 2 dyn x15 RR Wood Drops – 4 dyn x15 RR Caxixi 2 – 2 dyn x15 RR Kitchen Claves 1 – 4 dyn x15 RR Caxixi 3 – 2 dyn x15 RR Kitchen Claves 2 – 4 dyn x15 RR Caxixi 4 – 2 dyn x15 RR Rush Sticks – 4 dyn x15 RR Tang Tang High – 1 dyn x15 RR Plastic Tears – 4 dyn x15 RR Tang Tang Low – 1 dyn x15 The Snap – 4 dyn x15 RR Rainstick Hits – 2 dyn x15 RR Hand Made Clock – 4 dyn x15 RR Rainstick Shake – 1 dyn x15 RR Shaman Ring - 1 dyn x15 RR 4. BUTTONS & KNOBS 7. HATS & CYMBALS Accordeon Click 1 - 1 dyn x15 RR Hi-hat Brush Closed - 3 dyn x15RR Accordeon Click 2 – 1 dyn x15 RR Hi-hat Foot - 1 dyn x15RR Accordeon Click 3 – 1 dyn x15 RR Hi-hat Brush Opened - 3 dyn x15RR Guitar Case Lock 1 - 1 dyn x15 RR Hi-hat Rod Closed - 3 dyn x15RR Guitar Case Lock 2 - 1 dyn x15 RR Hi-hat Rod Opened - 3 dyn x15RR Hurdy Gurdy Click 1 – 1 dyn x15 RR Ride Bell Broomstick – 3 dyn x15 RR Hurdy Gurdy Click 2 – 2 dyn x15 RR Ride Bell Rod - 2 dyn x15 RR Mouse Left Click – 1 dyn x15 RR Ride Muted Brush - 3 dyn x15 RR Mouse Right Click – 1 dyn x15 RR Keyboard 1 – 1 dyn x15 RR Ride Scratches Long - 2 dyn x15 RR Ride Scratches Short - 2 dyn x15 RR 11. ORCHESTRAL Sizzle Ride – 3 dyn x15 RR Claves - 3 dyn x15 RR Sizzle Ride Bell – 3 dyn x15 RR Castanets - 2 dyn x15 RR Sizzle Ride Muted – 3 dyn x15 RR Castanets Rod – 2 dyn x15 RR Tambourine 1 - 2 dyn x15 RR 8. SMALL METALS 1 Tambourine 2 - 2 dyn x15 RR Finger Cymbal 1 – 2 dyn x6 RR Tambourine 2 Rod - 2 dyn x15 RR Finger Cymbal 2 – 2 dyn x6 RR Tambourine 3 - 2 dyn x15RR Finger Cymbal 3 – 2 dyn x6 RR Tambourine 4 - 2 dyn x15RR Mini Gong 1 – 2 dyn x6 RR Tambourine 5 - 2 dyn x15RR Mini Gong 2 – 2 dyn x6 RR Tambourine 6 - 2 dyn x15RR Mini Gong 3 – 2 dyn x6 RR Triangle 1 - 2 dyn x15 RR Small Anvil – 4 dyn x15 RR Triangle 2 - 2 dyn x15 RR Small Metal Box – 1 dyn x15 RR Triangle 3 - 2 dyn x15 RR Medium Metal Box – 1 dyn x15 RR Muted Metal – 4 dyn x15 RR 12. ETHNIC METALS Metal Shaker – 1 dyn x15 RR Chan Big Brush – 2 dyn x15 RR Flexatone – 1 dyn x15 RR Chan Big Rod – 2 dyn x15 RR Singing Bowl Hit – 4 dyn x15 RR Chan Middle 1 Brush – 2 dyn x15 RR Mug Metal Brush - 2 dyn x15 RR Chan Middle 1 Rod – 2 dyn x15 RR Mug Rod - 2 dyn x15 RR Chan Middle 2 Brush – 2 dyn x15RR Chan Middle 2 Rod - 2 dyn x15RR 9. SMALL METALS 2 Chan Small Brush - 2 dyn x15RR Mug Side Hit - 2 dyn x15 RR Chan Small Rod - 2 dyn x15RR Pan Brush - 2 dyn x15 RR Chan Extra Small Rod - 2 dyn x15RR Pan Rod - 2 dyn x15 RR Dulcimer Scratches – 2 dyn x15 RR Keychain – 1 dyn x15 RR Fly Drum 1 Brush - 2 dyn x15 RR Metal Cup 1 – 4 dyn x15 RR Fly Drum 2 Brush - 2 dyn x15 RR Coin – 4 dyn x15 RR Fly Drum 3 Brush - 2 dyn x15 RR Metal Cup 2 – 4 dyn x15 RR Fly Drum 4 Brush - 2 dyn x15 RR Keys in a Box – 4 dyn x15 RR Metal Plate – 4 dyn x15 RR 13. SYNTH PERC DIST Platform Bell – 4 dyn x15 RR Clock in a Dream – 3 dyn x9RR Heavy Tambourine – 4 dyn x15 RR Slap – 3 dyn x9RR The Can – 4 dyn x15 RR Steroid Clock – 3 dyn x9RR Metal Drops – 4 dyn x15 RR Punch – 3 dyn x9RR Glass Nails – 4 dyn x15 RR Implosion – 3 dyn x9RR The Butler – 4 dyn x15 RR Cyper Spank – 3 dyn x9RR Loud Neighbours – 3 dyn x9RR 10. MUTED PERCUSSION Kick – 3 dyn x9RR Darbuka Brush – 3 dyn x15 RR Agressive Kick – 3 dyn x9RR Shime-daiko Brush – 3 dyn x15 RR Snake – 3 dyn x9RR Shime-daiko Rod – 3 dyn x15 RR Lighter – 3 dyn x9RR Frame Drum Brush - 3 dyn x15 RR Shy Kick – 3 dyn x9RR Djembe Broomstick – 3 dyn x15 RR Pistol – 3 dyn x9RR Djembe Brush - 3 dyn x15 RR Shotgun – 3 dyn x9RR Cajon Rod 1 – 4 dyn x15 RR MegaBlaster – 3 dyn x9RR Cajon Rod (Center) – 4 dyn x15 RR Cajon Broomstick – 4 dyn x15 RR 14. MISC Cajon Brush – 4 dyn x15 RR Guitar Brush Back - 2 dyn x15RR Cajon Rod 2 – 4 dyn x15 RR Guitar Brush Front - 2 dyn x15RR Cajon Lap Rod 1 – 4 dyn x15 RR Guitar Brush Side - 2 dyn x15RR Cajon Lap Rod 2 – 4 dyn x15 RR Panflute Rod Hit - 1 dyn x15RR Cajon Lap Fingers – 4 dyn x15 RR Panflute Rod Slide – 1 dyn x15 RR Cajon Lap Rod 3 – 4 dyn x15 RR Guitar Body Nails – 2 dyn x15 RR Ultra Muted Cajon – 4 dyn x15 RR Guitar Body Brush – 2 dyn x15 RR Udu Brush Scratch – 2 dyn x15 RR Bended Cup – 4 dyn x15 RR Udu Rod – 3 dyn x15 RR Village Mug – 4 dyn x15 RR Canned Darbuka– 4 dyn x15 RR Wooden Block – 4 dyn x15 RR Guiro Brush – 2 dyn x15 RR Ping Pong – 4 dyn x15 RR Guiro Rod – 2 dyn x 15 RR Wooden Box – 4 dyn x15 RR Cajon Lap Brush Scratch – 2 dyn x15 RR Wooden Spoon – 4 dyn x15 RR Darbuka Scratch – 3 dyn x15 RR Nail – 4 dyn x15 RR Brush Hits - 1 dyn x15 RR Pseudo Marimba – 4 dyn x15 RR Rod Hits – 1 dyn x15 RR Bowl Pizz– 4 dyn x15 RR Stick Hits – 2 dyn x15 RR Chinese Drop – 4 dyn x15 RR Unbreakable Vase – 4 dyn x15 RR INSTALLATION / SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS Native Instruments Kontakt 5.0+ FULL version required approx. 11GB Hard drive space (~5GB for the zip and ~6 GB for the unzipped folder) Internet access Download the .zip archive, “unzip” and load into your Kontakt Instrument.

LICENSE AGREEMENT When you purchase a product from "Strezov Sampling", you obtain a unique download link for sound samples, loops and/or software from www.strezov-sampling.com. However, we should point out that you ARE NOT obtaining ownership of the sound samples—you are purchasing only a valid license to use our products in your musical compositions—whether or not they are released commercially. You agree to the full Terms and Conditions on our site.

CREDITS

Recording engineers: Plamen Penchev & Angelia Vihrova Conceptual Design & Scripting: Alexander Koev Graphic Design: Boyan Yordanov GUI Design: Boyan Yordanov & Alex Koev

Sample editing: Kiril Georgiev Sample mapping: Alexander Kostov, Lyubomir Goshev, Azad Agassian, Iavor Pachovski Marketing: Robin Birner

Beta testing: Jan Haak / Yannick Süß / Abel Vegas / Chris Schlee/ Alexander Kostov / Azad Agasian / Iavor Pachovski

Contracting by Four For Music Ltd.

Produced by George Strezov